The Center for Photography in Ethiopia (CPE) is launching its first-ever mentorship program exclusively for women photographers in Ethiopia. In collaboration with Johannesburg-based Through The Lens Collective (TTLC), this initiative aims to cultivate emerging talent through structured guidance and also critical engagement.
Spanning eight months, the mentorship program will support participants in developing a cohesive body of work under the leadership of award-winning Ethiopian artist Maheder Haileselassie Tadese and TTLC director Michelle Loukidis.
Maheder Haileselassie Tadese is a renowned Ethiopian photographer whose work explores themes of place, history, identity, and memory. She won the 2023 Contemporary African Photography Prize and earned a spot on BBC’s 100 Inspiring Women of 2024 as a “climate pioneer.” Her career includes prestigious fellowships, such as the New York Times Portfolio Review (2019) as well as World Press Photo Masterclass East Africa.
Her photography also appears in exhibitions worldwide and features in publications like Mfon: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora and Tales of Ethiopia. Maheder has worked with leading news agencies, including AFP, Reuters, Getty Images, Le Monde, and Der Spiegel. She is also the founder of CPE, a platform fostering learning and dialogue among Ethiopian photographers.
Michelle Loukidis is a South African photographer and educator with over 20 years of experience mentoring photographers across Africa. She trained at TUT in Tshwane and worked as a commercial photographer before shifting her focus to photographic education. In 2018, she founded Through The Lens Collective, a women-led photographic art school in Johannesburg. A fine artist in her own right, Michelle specializes in film photography, using medium-format cameras to retain the tactile essence of the medium.
Through virtual mentorship sessions and in-depth discussions, participants will refine their storytelling approach, exploring concepts, technique, context, and meaning. The program will take place via scheduled Zoom meetings, covering project development, research feedback, as well as technical skills.
Eight photographers will be selected for this opportunity. Ideal candidates are early- to mid-career photographers passionate about documentary, conceptual, or visual storytelling, with a strong project idea they wish to develop. Commitment to active participation throughout the program is essential.
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